GB2615127A

GB2615127A - A device

Info

Publication number: GB2615127A
Application number: GB2201203.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: O'dwyer Deirdre
Original assignee: Deirdre Odwyer
Current assignee: Deirdre Odwyer
Priority date: 2022-01-31
Filing date: 2022-01-31
Publication date: 2023-08-02
Also published as: GB202201203D0; IE20230012A3; IE20230012A2

Abstract

A toothbrush 1 comprising a base 2, handle 3, and brush head 4, wherein the base comprises marker lines 11,12,13,14 angled at 45 degrees and visible to the user when facing a mirror to enable the user to hold the toothbrush handle at an optimal angle against their teeth and gumline. The marker lines comprise a centre line 10 which is parallel to the bristles 6 on the brush head.

Description

"A Device"

Introduction

The invention relates to a toothbrush that promotes the correct and optimal brushing of teeth.

Oral health is a significant factor affecting peoples' quality of life, all person health and wellbeing. Discomfort from poor oral health disrupts sleep and the ability to relax. It also affects a person's appearance, self-esteem and self-confidence as well as their ability to talk and communicate effectively.

Dental diseases such as gingivitis and periodontis are unfortunately quite common due to bad brushing practices.

A large number of toothbrush designs have been employed and commercialized to focus on features that are relevant to the correct cleaning and care of teeth as well as the gum areas around the teeth.

Although some of these designs have proven generally effective, there remains a need for an improved toothbrush that is practical in design and employment, effective in general cleaning of the teeth, and also efficient in caring for the gum areas surrounding the teeth.

There is a real need for a toothbrush that can encourage good brushing practice from a young age.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a toothbrush comprising; an angled base; a corresponding angled handle; and a brush head; wherein the angled base comprises marker lines visible to the user when facing a mirror to enable the user to hold the toothbrush handle at an optimal angle against their teeth and gumline.

In one embodiment the marker lines comprise a centre line which is parallel to the bristles on the brush head.

In another embodiment the marker lines comprise lines which are at 450 to the centre line.

In one embodiment of the invention the angled base comprises an angled shape on the upper side with a rounded edge on its lower side. Preferably the handle comprises an angled shape on the upper side with a rounded edge on its lower side.

In another embodiment the angled base comprises an angled shape on the upper side and lower side. Preferably the handle comprises an angled shape on both the upper side and lower side.

In one embodiment of the invention the handle comprises bevelled edges on the upper side of 45°.

In one embodiment of the invention the marker lines are different colours.

In another embodiment of the invention the brush head comprises soft or extra-soft bristles.

In one embodiment of the invention the toothbrush comprises a rounded toothbrush head.

In one embodiment of the invention the toothbrush is manufactured from a durable material. Preferably the toothbrush is manufactured from bamboo.

Brief Description of the Invention

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a (a) side view and (b) downward view of the toothbrush according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a view of the base of the toothbrush handle, showing a vertical line 10, parallel with the bristles of the toothbrush, lines 11 and 12 both 45 degrees to line and another line 135 degrees to this line. Fig. 3(a) indicate the 45° angle, Fig. 3(b) indicates the 90° angle and Fig. 3(c) indicates the 135° angle; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the toothbrush according to the invention against a set of teeth, line 12 is parallel to the tooth or parallel to the long axis of the tooth and line 11 is perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth; Fig. 5 is another perspective view of the toothbrush according to the invention against a set of teeth (where line 11 is parallel to the long axis of the tooth and line 12 is perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth;

IS

Fig. 6 is a further perspective view of the toothbrush according to the invention against a set of teeth where line 11 is parallel to the long axis of the tooth (or parallel to the tooth and line 12 is perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth; and Fig. 715 a perspective view from the base of a further toothbrush handle according to the invention.

Detailed description

The present invention relates to a toothbrush comprising a handle which promotes the correct orientation of the brush head to effectively clean all areas of your teeth especially at the gumline. Failure to remove plaque in this area is what causes gum disease.

IS It is widely accepted that the correct way to efficiently and optimally clean your teeth is by placing the toothbrush bristles at a 45° angle to the tooth, especially at the gumline. In reality this is quite difficult to do. A large variety of different shaped toothbrushes are on the market to try and ensure this is how teeth are brushed. There are also a huge array of toothbrushes with angled bristles and toothbrushes with angled handles. Despite this, dentists are still finding that many people are not brushing correctly.

The present invention provides a toothbrush with a handle which is easy to hold, easy to use and which teaches the correct angle to hold the toothbrush without sacrificing on utility and effectiveness in cleaning the more common areas of the teeth. From continued use of the toothbrush of the invention a person can learn the correct way to hold a toothbrush to ensure optimal brushing practice. The handle allows the user to correctly hold the toothbrush thereby ensuring that the teeth and the gumline are optimally cleaned.

As shown in Fig. 1 the handle 3 of the toothbrush 1 comprises an angled shape on the upper side with a rounded edge on its lower side. The rounded shape of toothbrush handle 3 makes it easy to hold. The elongated sides of the toothbrush handle 3 have bevelled edges 7, 8 of 45° which follow the angled shape of the upper side of the handle.

The bevelled edges of 45° encourage brushing at a 45° angle.

The base 2 of the handle 3 comprise a number of marker lines. A centre marker line 10 is parallel to the bristles 6 on the head 4 of the toothbrush and perpendicular to the horizontal level which is the height at which the bristles 6 join the head 4 of the brush 1.

Two marker Lines 11 and 12 are at exactly 45° angles to the centre line 10. Lines 11 and 12 are at 90° angles to each other. Lines 13 and 14 are at a 135° angle to the centre line 10.

These lines act as an indicator or reference point to the user of the toothbrush as one of these lines, 11 or 12 should always be parallel to the tooth or parallel to the long axis of the tooth depending on what surface or where in the mouth you're brushing.

Line 12 offers guidance while brushing on the upper right hand side and lower left hand side of the mouth, while line 11 offers guidance while brushing on the upper left and lower right hand side of the mouth.

The different angles correspond to brushing at 45° relative to the horizontal/vertical. Best brushing practice is to brush at a 45°a ngle to the long axis of a tooth in the premolar area. By using the markers on the base of the brush a person gets used to the appearance or feel of a 45° bristle angulation in the mouth and the correct brushing practice becomes a learned process. The biting surfaces of the teeth are brushed as normal, without needing to use visual aid.

Being on the base 2 of the toothbrush handle 3 allows the user to first line up the vertical line 10 with the wall of the tooth 20. ie. line 10 should be parallel to the wall of the tooth or long axis of the tooth 20 while the user is looking in a mirror to brush their teeth. The user then tilts the bristles towards the gumline until the nearest/ first 45 degree, line 11 or 12, is parallel to the long axis of the tooth on the wall of the tooth. This establishes the optimal 45 degree angulation of bristles to the tooth surface and the patient can maintain this angle by looking in the mirror while brushing their teeth.

While brushing one of the lines 11 or 12 should remain parallel to the tooth. When either line 11 or 12 is parallel to the long axis of the tooth the tooth, the user will be reassured that the brush head is at a 45° angle to the wall of the tooth 20 and therefore they are optimally cleaning their teeth at their gumline.

Everyone's teeth are unique to them. Using the markers on the base of the toothbrush a user with crooked teeth or teeth at different angulations learns to correctly brush their teeth to suit the shape of their teeth. If the user is unsure of the correct angle they simply Ii need to check the visual of the 45° to 90° angle markers on the base 2 of the toothbrush 1 and modify the angulation of the toothbrush handle accordingly.

The different marker lines 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 may be different colours to highlight the different angles. A physical indentation of the lines 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 may be etched into the base or marked by any other suitable means to enable users and those hard of sight to recognise the lines by a sense of touch.

As the handle 3 approaches the brush head 4 there may be a dip /narrowing 5 of the handle 3 to reduce digital pressure on the handle 3 being transferred to the teeth and 25 gums.

The head 4 of the toothbrush may be any shape as the shape of the handle 3 and the markers lines on the base 2 will ensure that the user is holding the toothbrush 1 correctly and therefore achieving optimal brushing from the brush head no matter what the shape of the brush head. However, it is universally accepted that optimal brushing is achieved using a small headed toothbrush.

In use the brush is centred so the tips of the bristles are at the gumline and these bristles are at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface as shown in Figs. 4 to 6. Gentle pressure is applied so the bristles slide under the gumline. Preferably the brush is vibrated gently using gentle digital pressure while moving it in short, circular, wiggling motions In this way the correct brushing action is achieved.

A toothbrush 20 according to the invention may also comprise a hexagonal shape as shown in Fig. 7. As before the centre line 10 is parallel to the bristles and 90 degrees to the horizontal plane and plane at which bristles join the brush.

Lines 11 and 12 are exactly 45° to the horizontal and the centre line 10 and at 90° angles Ii to each other. Lines 13 and 14 are exactly 135° to the centre line 10. The elongated handle 3 of the toothbrush follow along the marker lines at 45°, 90° and 135° angles. These lines act as an indicator or reference point to the user of the toothbrush as one of these lines, 11 or 12 should always be parallel to the tooth or parallel to the long axis of the tooth depending on what surface or where in the mouth you're brushing.

The toothbrush head may have soft or supersoft/extrasoft bristles to minimise the risk of gum recession and tooth abrasion. The bristles are as plentiful as possible. Preferably the brush head has approximately 5,000 bristles.

The head of the toothbrush may have a small compact head to allow access to hard to reach areas in the mouth. As for all toothbrushes it is important to replace the toothbrush or the brush head regularly to maintain the integrity of the bristles.

The head 4 of the toothbrush may be detachable and changeable.

The base of the toothbrush is shaped so that the toothbrush can stand upright for hygienic drying.

The base of the handle may be coloured in varying colours to allow family members to identify their own.

The toothbrush handle of the invention is manufactured from a durable material. The toothbrush handle may be manufactured from bamboo or any other suitable material.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments herein before described which may be varied in detail.

Claims

Claims 1. A toothbrush comprising;-an angled base; a corresponding angled handle; and a brush head; wherein the angled base comprises marker lines visible to the user when facing a mirror to enable the user to hold the toothbrush handle at an optimal angle against their teeth and gumline.
2. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1 wherein the marker lines comprise a centre line which is parallel to the bristles on the brush head.
3. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the marker lines comprise lines which are at 45° to the centre line.
4. A toothbrush as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the angled base comprises an angled shape on the upper side with a rounded edge on its lower side.
5. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 4 wherein the handle comprises an angled shape on the upper side with a rounded edge on its lower side.
6. A toothbrush as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the angled base comprises an angled shape on the upper side and lower side.
7. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 6 wherein the handle comprises an angled shape on both the upper side and lower side.
8. A toothbrush as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the handle comprises bevelled edges on the upper side of 45°.
9. A toothbrush as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the marker lines are different colours.
10. A toothbrush as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a toothbrush head with soft or extra-soft bristles.
11. A toothbrush as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a rounded toothbrush head.
12. A toothbrush as claimed in any preceding claim manufactured from a durable material. Ii
13. A toothbrush as claimed in any preceding claim manufactured from bamboo.